BRITAIN'S WORD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23895, 24 August 1939, Page 11

BRITAIN'S WORD

OBLIGATIONS TO POLAND FULFILMENT IF NECESSARY PARLIAMENT SUMMONED PRECAUTIONARY STEPS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 22. It has been officially announced that Parliament has been summoned for Thursday. Both Houses will be asked to pass the Emergency Powers Defence Bill, enabling the Government without delay to take necessary measures and precautionary steps. Meanwhile these include the calling up of certain personnel in the three services and A.R.P. Cabinet unhesitatingly declared that the Russian-German pact would in no way affect the Government's obligations towards Poland, which Britain is determined to fulfil. Cabinet decisions included the calling up of certain personnel in civil defence and arranging to deal with certain matters affecting the export of essential materials and commodities. The British Government is of the opinion that there is nothing in the German-Polish difficulties involving a European war. The Government is, ready to create conditions of confidence. Cabinet adds: "If, despite all efforts, others insist on the use of force, the Government is prepared and determined to resist it to the uttermost." Mr Stanley Bruce called on Mr Chamberlain for the second time after the Cabinet meeting. THE GENERAL BELIEF MAJOR CRISIS AT HAND (British Official Wireless) _ RUGBY, Aug. 22. The decision to have a full meeting of Cabinet at the meeting of senior Ministers arranged for to-day was taken last night in view of the tension in Europe and following a prolonged consultation between" Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax. The French Cabinet also met today, and there is also a meeting at Brussels of Oslo Powers summoned by King Leopold. These various meetings may be regarded as indicative of the gravity with which recent developments are viewed. News from Germany of the concentration of forces on the Polish frontiers—it is estimated that 2,000,000 men are mobilised—represents an important threatening factor in these developments, and it is the general belief that a major crisis is at hand.

It was in the light of this position that Mr Chamberlain decided to call the full Cabinet into consultation.

The full significance of the surprise announcement that Herr von Ribbentrop is flying to Moscow to sign the pact cannot yet be appreciated, and in informed quarters in London no comment is offared on the subject. This news was received in London too late for general press comment. The general attitude that is taken, however, is one of caution in the expression of views at this stage. In a calm but firm leading article the Daily Mail says: " In view of the unparalleled international situation which thus appears to be created, caution counsels that we should await fuller details before considering the implications of this development." THE LABOUR VIEWPOINT "OUR CONSCIENCES CLEAN" LONDON, Aug. 22. Mr Arthur Greenwood, in a statement, said: "I take a most grave view of the international position. I consider it the duty of all citizens to remain calm and steadfastly withstand further acts of aggression as the only way to maintain peace in Europe. It is not too late for sane counsels to prevail. The issue of peace or war rests with Herr Hitler. If the blow falls our consciences are clean. I am sure our people will face the future, with confidence and determination." BRITAIN'S POLICY A FIRM RESTATEMENT LONDON, Aug. 22. The firm and dignified restatement of Britain's policy is expected to counteract the widespread speculation and guesswork and re-establish confidence in the countries aligned in the peace bloc. The Emergency Powers Bill partakes somewhat of the nature of the Defence of the Realm Act. It empowers the Government to meet any emergency, acting, if necessary, without consulting Parliament, in the same way as the French Government, which has almost dictatorial powers. The Communist Party, in a statement, said: "The pact represents a victory for peace and Socialism as against the Fascistic war plans and the pro-Fascist policy of Mr Chamberlain, because it is the keynote of the peace front." The National Council of Labour will meet on August 23 and the Parliamentary Labour Party on August 24. THE FRENCH CABINET AN EMERGENCY MEETING PARIS, Aug. 22. An emergency Cabinet meeting lasted 90 minutes. It was announced that new instructions were being despatched to the French diplomats in European capitals. M. Daladier after that conferred with General Gamelin. There will be no mobilisation, but units may be recalled to the colours, bringing the army to the strength of 1,500,000 on a war footing. Ministers reassemble on August 24. Cabinet decided to reaffirm, in common with Britain, France's military pledges to Poland, also to discover Russia's intentions regarding the pact and take all appropriate military measures.